Freestone · Mixed · Borders

Whiteadder Water

Whiteadder Water venue image
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The Whiteadder is a tributary of the lower Tweed that joins just above Berwick, draining the Lammermuir Hills through Duns and Chirnside.

Species

A side-water session, not the main event

Low and clear — careful approach country. Long leader, small flies, slower casts.

75% confidence in this read
Water temperature for brown trout
Cool — slow
6°C est.ideal 10–16°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for brown trout
  • Temperature4128% weight
  • Flow8022% weight
  • Clarity9518% weight
  • Feeding Time5013% weight
  • Pressure807% weight
  • Prey Activity2912% weight
Conditions
Level
0.30 m
Water temp
6.4°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
7°C
Wind
S 9 km/h
Light breeze
Pressure
1002 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
3.5 mm
Light rain · next 48h

Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.

How to fish it · for brown trout
When
Nymphing can work through most of the day.
Where
Cover mixed depths.
Method
Start with tight-line nymphs and adjust if fish rise or drift higher.
Kit
9 ft #4 rod, floating line, 12 ft tapered leader to 4–5 lb fluoro tippet.
Why this works
Good conditions. Clarity is favourable (95), Prey activity is weakest (29).
Through the year
0–3 scale · May highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
GrannomHatch
2
2
Evening SedgeHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Large Dark OliveHatch
1
2
2
1
Iron BlueHatch
1
2
2
1

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Gallery · 1
  1. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
Directions
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About this water

The Whiteadder is a tributary of the lower Tweed that joins just above Berwick, draining the Lammermuir Hills through Duns and Chirnside. It is one of the best small-stream wild trout rivers in the Borders — underrated next to the Tweed itself but arguably more rewarding for the angler who enjoys intimate water and willing fish. The river above Duns is proper small-stream water: pockets, short runs, overhanging willows, trout that rise to a dry fly with enthusiasm. Below Duns it broadens out and starts to feel more like its parent river. Whiteadder Angling Club and Duns Castle permits cover most of the fishable water and are cheap and accessible. The trout are not large — six to ten ounces is the average — but they are wild, numerous, and beautifully marked. A fine antidote to the pressure and price of the Tweed itself, and a perfect river for teaching somebody to fish.

  • Mixed
Other water nearby · 5